February 3, 2009 | ThriftyFun

Check Your Debit Card Charges RegularlyCheck your debit card charges often. Central NY area has had a rash of unauthorized charges. Chase Bank told us that criminals can get your info from certain ATM machines and make a workable card for themselves.

Percolator PunchThis hot punch welcomes your guests with a festive aroma that permeates your home. The ingredients can be assembled earlier in the day then perked before your guests begin arriving.

Garlic Ranch DressingA garlic lovers favorite! Use for salads or dip.

Decorative Valentine SkewersFor Valentine's Day deco, I punched out hearts with one of my heart punches (about 2 inches long and 1 inch wide) out of red paint chips and glued skewers onto the back of them.

Selling Homemade Pet TreatsDoes anyone have any tips for starting a home pet bakery? I'd like to make healthy pet treats using human-grade ingredients for my dogs at home and I thought of perhaps selling them in local shops, just for fun.

Manual for an Amana Radarange Microwave Convection Oven PlusI just bought an older Amana Radarange Microwave Convection oven with a dial and push buttons. Does anyone know where I can find an old manual - or a copy with a few recipes and cooking instructions?

Make and Freeze Batches of WafflesI purchased an inexpensive box of waffle mix and spent a couple hours making the whole box of waffles. Once the waffles have cooled, I place them into freezer bags and pop into the freezer for a quick and easy breakfast.

Making a Family Food BudgetMy husband and I run a small business. We are a family of 3 and really being affected by the recession. I really feel alone in this budgeting process. I do not have anyone to talk to about this, so I could really use the help. Is it possible to live on a food budget of $50 for 3 of us?

Fat Stain on Suede ShoesI have a lovely pair of purple suede shoes and have dropped chicken fat on them. How can I get rid of the stain? Thanks.

Buying Pudding Mix in the UKI've noticed that quite a few dessert recipes use chocolate, vanilla or other flavored pudding mixes. What are they and can I purchase them or the equivalent in the UK? Many thanks.

Themes for a Casual DanceI need casual dance themes. Any ideas? Thank you.

Packing Food for a Family TripWe are going on a family fishing trip in Aug. of 2009. I am trying to designate what everyone brings for meals etc. Right now I am trying to figure out how many pounds of potatoes to take with us. We don't want to carry too much extra with us but we don't want to buy to much extra while we are there.

Unclogging a Drain with Baking SodaI am looking for the idea posted in the Reader's Digest on how to declog the bathtub drain. It mentioned baking soda and some other stuff and said it really worked.

What Breed is My Dog?I just rescued this pup about a week and a half ago. Can anyone tell me what breed she might be? Her name is Daijah and if anyone could help me out I would really appreciate it.

Insects in House Plant SoilDoes my Spider plant soil have fungus gnats? After watering my indoor potted plants, within about 36 hours, I noticed a soil surface infestation of what looks to be fungus gnat larvae.

Junk Food Cravings When Quitting SmokingI just quit smoking after too many years and really have had no problems quitting so far. Now the only real problem I am having is the snack foods. Does anyone out there have the same problem?

Masking Ammonia Odor in CleanersI have made a window cleaner with Isopropyl alcohol, ammonia, water and essential oil but the ammonia's smell is very pungent. I don't know how to make the ammonia's odor subside. Can anyone help me out of this problem?

Burn Mark on Marble CountertopHow do I get a burn stain off my marble countertop?

Ideas for 60th High School ReunionI am looking for fun ideas for a 60th high school class reunion. I need ideas for games, decorating, and etc. It will be held outdoors at a classmate's home. Please help!

South of the Border Stack UpBrown meat, add chopped onion and cook until tender. Stir in seasoning mix, tomato sauce and chili beans. Simmer 10 minutes. Layer meat sauce, tortillas and shredded cheese into two stacks using 5 tortillas in each.

Casserole DishTo cooked noodles, add onion, cream of chicken soup and corned beef. Mix well and add cheese and milk. Put into baking dish. May sprinkle crumbled potato chips over top, if desired. Bake 20 minutes at 350 degrees F.

Old-Fashioned Tomato SoupPour in large saucepan, bring to a boil - quickly stir in baking soda - It will bubble and foam. Stir in milk, salt and pepper, and the butter. Cook over low heat till butter melts.

What Breed is My Dog?I am dying to know what breed my dog is. She was a stray that my friends found. She is about 1.5 yrs old now and about 14 lbs. She has blonde and strawberry blonde longer, soft hair with a very fuzzy curled tailed and fuzzy booty. She loves to play outside, dig for moles, chase birds. She loves her mommy the best but totally loves anyone, mommy is just #1.

Valentine Candy Bar 'Vase'Valentine's gift idea but can be used for any occasion. Take the 3 candy bars and hold them vertically so the sides touch each other forming a triangle in the center.

Creamed Hamburger with MushroomsHeat heavy skillet. Add beef, mushrooms and onion. Cook until beef is well browned, stirring occasionally to break up meat. Stir in flour; cook and stir 1 minute. Stir in milk, mushroom liquid, salt, pepper sauce, and pepper.

Valentine's Day Candy Bar TreatI have done this candy card for my husband a few times in 11 years. It is cheap and easy. All you need is a piece of poster board, a marker, and candy bars.

Mocha Toffee PiePreheat oven to 375 degrees F. Combine flour and salt in large bowl. Cut in shortening with pastry blender until mixture forms particles slightly larger than grains of rice. Stir in walnuts, brown sugar and chocolate.

Rivera Egg PiePreheat oven to 425 degrees F. Heat oil in large skillet over medium-high heat. Add onion and saute until translucent and just golden, about 8 minutes. Remove from heat, transfer to a large bowl and allow to cool while preparing crust.

Use Extracts or Perfumes Instead of DeodorizerBefore company is due, put one or two drops of vanilla, lemon or almond extract on the bathroom light bulb. Turn on the light before you leave the room. As the bulb heats up, a most pleasant odor fills the room. Sometimes I use just a small spritz of my favorite perfume.

Deter Mice With Crushed Red PepperWhen I was young, I lived in a lot of rented houses that had mice. After not controlling the population with traditional methods, we tried this with much success. Locate the mouse hole, if you are that lucky, and cover it with a piece of duct tape that has been sprinkled with a good amount of crushed red peppers, like you get from the pizza parlor.

Sock Washcloth for KidsTo make holding soap easier for a child, put the soap in an old sock. Not only does the soap not slip out of their hand it also acts as a wash cloth. Just throw in the wash when it needs to be cleaned.

Chocolate Fruit BallsIn a large bowl, combine all ingredients except unsweetened cocoa confectioner's sugar and additional candied cherries, and mix well. Chill 1 hour.

Rummage Sale "Grab Bags"Small items ranging from 10 to 25 cents, can be a hassle to have to deal with at a rummage sale, and they take up a lot of table space! Try wrapping them (after sorting them into cost categories: 10 or 25 cents) in odds and ends comic paper, magazine pages, brown paper bags or WHATEVER.

Use Crafty Cheats to Mend ClothesTo mend clothes, I use hot glue, iron on patches, or hemming tape. This saves me time and money.

Crisp Sugar CookiesAdd sugar to shortening and make fluffy. Beat in eggs, one at a time. Add cream and flavoring. Stir in flour sifted with soda and salt. Mix well. Makes a nice drop or rolled cookie.

Asian Vegetable Beef SoupIn a large saucepan, brown the meat in oil on all sides, and drain. Add the water, broth, sherry, soy sauce, onions, brown sugar, garlic, ginger, sesame oil, and cayenne pepper. Bring to a boil. Reduce heat, cover and simmer for 1 hour.

Brew Twice and SaveMoney is tight, and we love our morning coffee. I found a way to save 50%. I find the brand name on sale, and buy the darkest roast (look for scale on tin). Brew a full batch of coffee, pour into pitcher. Then fill reservoir with water again. Using the same grounds, brew again.

Craft Project: Valentine's Day Fan CardThis is a cute card kids can make themselves to let the special people in their lives know that they are their "biggest fans".

Wedding and Reception Locations in Dallas, TXI am looking for inexpensive wedding site for ceremony and reception in Dallas, TX. Can anyone please help?

Miniature Pincher / Chihuahua MixHow much does a chihuahua/pincher usually weigh?

Party DessertMix well. Can be frozen. I do not care for nuts, so I leave the nuts out of this and it is still very yummy!